What are the schools like in Dayton, WY?

Dayton is served primarily by Sheridan County School District #1. The district operates 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.0:1.

What is the median household income in Dayton?

The median household income in Dayton, WY is $86,786 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 0.7%.

What is the weather like in Dayton, WY?

Dayton has an average high temperature of 35.9°F in January and 85.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 18.0 inches and annual snowfall averages 68.3 inches.

Dayton, WY Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Dayton, WY affordable or expensive?

Dayton's cost of living index is 96, where 100 represents the national average. This means Dayton is 4% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $279,100 and the median rent is $779 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Dayton, WY?

Dayton has a violent crime rate of 111.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 767.6 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Dayton, WY a Good Place to Live?

Dayton is a small town of 871 in Wyoming, with a median household income of $86,786 and a 0.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 96 (US average = 100), which is 4% below the national average.

Strengths: Dayton stands out for an affordable cost of living, solid school ratings (B+).

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Dayton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Dayton city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 95.7

Dayton's overall cost of living index is 95.7, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Dayton costs roughly 4% less than the average American city.

Metric	Dayton, WY	National Avg
Median Home Value	$279,100	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$779	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	87.2%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$86,786	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Dayton's violent crime rate is 111.5 per 100,000 residents — 71% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

111.5 /100k

Property Crime

767.6 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Dayton is served primarily by Sheridan County School District #1. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Dayton, WY	National Avg
School District	Sheridan County School District #1	—
Elementary Schools	3	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	3	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	30.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	97.0%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Dayton sees average highs of 35.9°F in January and 85.2°F in July, with 18.0 inches of annual precipitation and 68.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Dayton, WY
Average High — January	35.9°F
Average High — July	85.2°F
Annual Precipitation	18.0"
Annual Snowfall	68.3"

Demographics

Metric	Dayton, WY	National Avg
Population	871	—
Median Age	42.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	0.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	27.1 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	95.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.6%	18.9%
Asian	1.6%	6.3%
Under 18	29.5%	22.2%
65 and over	23.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Ranchester, WY 5 mi Parkman, WY 6 mi Sheridan, WY 16 mi Wyola, MT 18 mi Big Horn, WY 19 mi

ZIP Codes in Dayton

Dayton, WY is covered by 1 ZIP code:

82836

Dayton vs Other Cities

Dayton, WY vs Ranchester, WY Dayton, WY vs Parkman, WY Dayton, WY vs Sheridan, WY Dayton, WY vs Wyola, MT Dayton, WY vs Big Horn, WY

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dayton, WY affordable or expensive?

Dayton's cost of living index is 96, where 100 is the national average. That makes Dayton roughly 4% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $279,100 and median rent is $779/month.

What is the crime rate in Dayton, WY?

Dayton's violent crime rate is 111.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 767.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Dayton?

Public schools in Dayton are operated by Sheridan County School District #1. The district has 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.0:1. 30.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Dayton, WY a good place to live?

Dayton, WY has a population of 871, a median household income of $86,786, and an unemployment rate of 0.7%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Dayton?

Dayton averages 35.9°F in January and 85.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 18.0 inches with about 68.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Dayton?

Dayton, WY is covered by 1 ZIP code: 82836.

What is the population of Dayton?

The population of Dayton, Wyoming is 871 with a median age of 42.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Dayton?

Key numbers for living in Dayton: cost of living index 96 (100 = US average), median home $279,100, median household income $86,786, crime index 32 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Dayton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.